A former PLP senator and two well-known online commentators have joined forces to launch a new blog seeking to encourage discussion of Bermuda's political and social issues.

One-time senator Davida Morris, blogger Jonathan Starling who writes Catch a Fire and Tia Hartmann, the blogger behind Bermuda Fables, officially launched the new website, Bermuda Jewel, on July 1.

The blog came about following disagreements Mr. Starling and Ms Morris had with administrators from Progressive Minds, the website of the PLP's youth wing.

The two claim that those running the forum were censoring comments unsympathetic to the PLP. Both the admininstrators and PLP chairman David Burt denied the allegations.

While all three bloggers behind Bermuda Jewel are PLP supporters, they say the new site will be open to readers and commentators from both ends of the political spectrum.

Ms Hartmann said: "Bermudians are entering a new political maturity and hopefully with the launch of this non-partisan – in a sense – blog, it will allow people to explore their own political power.

"We all are PLP in heart but we strive for a democracy that speaks for all Bermuda and if we can help that along by giving people a forum to discuss ideas and concepts, I'm all for that."

Mr. Starling said Bermuda's web community had so far welcomed the latest edition to the local blogosphere.

"Certainly the regulars of the Bermudian blogging scene have welcomed it, and we are hopeful that it will also encourage new voices into the online discussion, as well as provoke real life discussion and action," he said.

"In particular we are focused on social issues, such as the problems with crime, drugs, social alienation, Bermuda's ongoing issues with race and also a critique of our existing institutions, in particular the bureaucracy and failings of our existing political system."

Ms Morris added that encouraging online dialogue is just the start for the creators of Bermuda Jewel. "It's not just about talking," she said. "We really do want to be the springboard for action."

The format of the site means the three creators are currently the only ones able to post blog entries. However, they welcome all contributors to send commentary by email.

"We invite people to compose a piece and e-mail it to us and we'll post it for them for discussion," Mr. Starling said.

l Bermuda Jewel – which stands for Joint Endeavour for Welfare, Education and Liberation – is on the web at http://bermudajewel.wordpress.com. E-mails can be sent to the organisers at bermudajewel@gmail.com.